Reform Party recognises the importance of the Hijab for Singaporean Muslims. We believe every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it as enshrined in article 15 (1) of our constitution.
The PAP government’s reason for not allowing the hijab is to maintain social harmony. The reason they have given is that allowing the Hijab is ‘problematic’ for some jobs. We find this to be without basis as they have not provided any references or evidences to support this claim. Since pre-independence days Muslims have been well integrated into the community. Singaporeans have grown accustomed to seeing Muslim women wearing the Hijab in every part of the society and have no problems interacting with them.
On the contrary, the Government’s refusal to remove this discriminatory practice will in fact harm the social cohesion that has developed over the years. The need to promote and build an inclusive society should not be at the expense of one community.
Reform Party fully supports the call to allow the Hijab at every workplace. Allowing the Hijab does not encroach on any individual rights. As such, we urge the Government to do the right thing and meet the aspirations of the Muslim community in Singapore.